Duty of Care Assessment Tool

Question 1

Is it Waste?

The 2008 Waste Framework Directive embedded in UK law states that waste is "...any substance or object which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard..." Guidance on this can be found here.

Please note, this online tool is for illustrative purposes. There are many other possible variables, for a definitive answer please contact us on 01789 208 715. It does not constitute legal or professional advice and must not be relied on as such.

Yes No

Don't know

Question 2

Has your company or any of its staff produced waste?

This would include any office waste, such as office paper and any staff waste from lunches. If you have warehouses or production areas it is very rare to produce no waste at all.
You are not responsible for the waste produced by contractors you have on site.

Yes No

Question 3

Have you got the correct containers for your waste streams?

Containers need to be correctly and clearly labelled, be suitable for transportation, and prevent the leakage, contamination or spoiling of waste. Make sure hazardous waste is separately contained to prevent all waste being classified as hazardous. Use our EWC code search to find the right code for your waste so that containers are correctly labelled.

Yes No

Don't know

Question 4

Do your waste contactors have the correct licences?

Brokers, carriers and dealers should all be registered with the relevant environment agency to transport waste from one site to another. You can check on the public registers for licenced Waste Carriers. Don't forget to check if any of your activities require a waste carriers licence.

Yes No

Don't know

Question 5

When your waste is collected, is the right documentation filled in?

Non-hazardous waste should be covered by a Waste Transfer Note (WTN).
You can have annual season tickets for regular non-hazardous waste collections with the same contractor. Don't forget you can use edoc to electronically manage your WTNs.
Hazardous waste should be covered by a Consignment Note.

Yes No

Don't know

Question 6

Are you storing your documentation for the correct time?

WTNs should be stored for a minimum of two years, whereas Consignment Notes, including consignee returns, (part E) should be stored for a minimum of three years.

Yes No

Question 7

Is your waste being taken to a correctly licenced facility?

The facility your waste is taken to should be registered with the relevant authorities and should hold either a Permit or an Exemption allowing it to accept the waste described on the WTN or Consignment Note.

You can search for Permits and Exemptions on the Public registers, or you can contact the relevant environment agency.

Yes No

Don't know

Question 8

Do you have an audit trail for your waste's journey to disposal?

You should have an audit trail for all your waste streams detailing all the information you have collated on your duty of care and be able to produce these should you receive a visit from the relevant environment agency.

Yes No

Results